Albany’s 1st Scottish Games Festival Opens at Tivioli Park

The data, commentary and results below are courtesy of the Irish Volcano, Jasen Von Guinness, organizer and competitor in the first ever, Scottish Games held in the City of Albany, Saturday, May 14, 2011. Von Guinness is a real estate developer, former high jump champion, Irish Currach rower, dancer, all around treasure and founder of A.S.A.P. (Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy). A recent competitor on the Scottish Games circuit throughout the Northeast, Von Guinness wanted to bring the skill, strength, balance and explosiveness to Albany’s inner city. They used Tivioli Park (thanks Mayor Jennings for the short notice cleanup and mowing of the filed) for the first ever Scottish Games in Albany and it was a great success. The pictures are from Kati Skiff’s facebook page and her mom. Locals competing were Jason Von Guinness , Dan O’Brien and Sandor Silverman in the men’s division and Janie Wilkinson and Sara Hill in the woman’s division. Von Guinness, O’brien and Wlkinson are team members of the Albany Irish Rowing Club and A.S.A.P.

There was a great group of volunteers led by the great Dave Smith, still playing hardball baseball, Dave Pinkoski, Nick Asimakopoulos, Melanie O’Malley, Jesse Bertram, Rachel D’attilio, Arren Rosen, Liz Tarkick and the illustrious Curtis Lake.

“The Inaugural Albany Scottish Games was attended by 26 of the finest athletes from Maine to Pennsylvania. Athletes convened at Tivoli Park at roughly 9am for rules and warm ups. Prompt 9:30 start time. There were a total of 9 events contested in all, which is the maximum number by traditional standards and a rarity. Often games are abbreviated due to field constraints or time. However, all athletes were able to get all their competition throws completed within just 6 hours. Highlights of the day were dominated by the extremely strong masters showing.

Scott Depanifilis showed why hes well respected in the strength community by taking first place in the Masters class. He was followed by Hapy Mayer, who was making his Masters debut after a long a successful run in the amateur ranks. Mark Currier, a strongman crossover and promoter of the Harpoon Brewery Strongman shows took a third place. Also notable in the masters class were appearance by Bob Vail and Chuck Livingston. After their performances, they’re both sitting within the top 5 nationally in the 50-54 and 55-59 class respectively.
The women’s class was dominated by veteran thrower Alison Tostevin of Orchard Beach Maine. Alison won 7 of the nine events. Tostevin tied with newcomer Janie Wilkinson, a Kansas native in the sheaf and weight over bar events. Wilkinson and Brandi Patnode tied for second place, however, Brandi was awarded the second place trophy using the countback system. Rounding out the female athletes was Amy Shedrick with an epic performance.

Jeff Kaste, a former UNH standout showed his awesomeness by taking first in the Amateur class. Jeff had a great showing in the stones by going 47’6″ in the Open and 36’10” in the Braemar. Jeff was followed closely Binghamton University throws coach Gabe Fletcher, while Carlton Shedrick took third.
The Lightweight class in reserved for athletes 190lbs and below. Mike Berby illustrated that it technique trumps size by throwing the Heavy Weight 43’6.5″, the second farthest throw recorded this year for a Liteweight this year. Berby won the event, which currently puts him in second place nationally. The events organizer, Jasen VonGuinness won a tightly contested second place battle against Mark Howard by 1 point. After taking first in the Open Stone, VonGuinness and Howard exchanged second and third place finishes all day. Local throwers Carl Lewandowski and Irish Rowing Club standout Dan O’Connell also had excellent days with O’Connell nabbing the 4th and Lewandowski the 5th.